Tuesday, July 26, 2016

How incredibly cool is it that the Creator of the entire universe
knows your name? He. Knows. Your. Name. Dwell on that for just a
little bit, my sweet friends! Today I'm sharing some Creative Worship in the book of Isaiah using some goodies from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps!

Isaiah
is such a rich book of the promises of God. It is definitely one of my
favorites and often a go to place when I am in need of reminding of
just how precious I am, of the fact that I am chosen. That's an
important truth to hold in this overwhelming and often mixed up world!

Isaiah 43:1-3

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."

You are His. Soak that in.....

This layout felt a little risky as I began water coloring various paints here and there. The Galaxy Sky technique produces beautiful results, but it can be a bit unpredictable--laying down that much random color in my bible made me a little nervous. All in all, I like the result, though if I could do it again, I'd handle the text differently--so that it stood out more. But, you know, once you get started...it's hard to stop!

Friday, July 22, 2016

Happy Friday!! The Creative Team at Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps is bringing you a Christmas in July hop full of inspiration and a bit of jump start on your holiday card making!

You will be able to find all of the team participant blogs at the end of this post. Simply click on their name and you will be taken to their blog. The list will be on each person's blog, so no need to hit the back button. Just look for the next blog in the line-up and off you go! Please be sure to leave the girls some love along the way. We will be drawing a winner from all of the blog comments and that person will receive a FREE Christmas stamp set (in stock) of their choosing from our line!

I used Welcome Jesus to complete my card----and, the matching dies!! Don't forget the dies!! The galaxy sky background technique is the perfect back drop for this wintery card. Today, our heat index is ridiculous so, I'm already dreaming of a white Christmas!

Christmas is the season of giving so, of course there's a SALE! All Christmas stamps will be 15% off through the weekend so, get 'em while its HOT!!? You can use code CMASJULY when you check out!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Happy Wednesday, Friends!! I've finally had some time to play with my Stampin' Up! goodies!! I've been known to ask..."how many floral sets can one person own?" The answer is not as clear as a girl would think--I'm drawn over and over to the beautiful floral sets I find in the SU! catalog! This one is called Birthday Blooms and can be found in the SU! catalog on page 12.

I used a few other SU! goodies to complete this shabby chic card. First, I stamped the Dictionary Background stamp on a piece of kraft card stock. Next, I applied a thin layer of gesso. When that was dried, I added several layers of water colored inks and some texture with images from the Timeless Texture stamp set.

I stamped the floral image with black ink and then used distress markers to color/water color the floral piece. I attached the Banner Framelit that I stamped my sentiment on with mini staples---I just love that little stapler! I'm waiting for colored staples (hint, hint, SU!) to go with it.

I'm trying to challenge myself to use things I haven't inked up in a while--old and new. Stay tuned to see how I meet the challenge!

Monday, July 18, 2016

Happy Monday, Brakers!! Thanks for stopping by for my I Brake For Stamps Monday share! Today, it's a fun froggy water color card. I love the whole Freddy the Frog line over at I Brake For Stamps--they are just so cute and laughable! Be sure to check out the Freddy Sheet and Freddy Digital images too! Remember, my coupon code is SAVE10JANE!

This particular image just makes me think of a friend of mine and that is reason enough to smile! I do like hanging out with her....the singing is always a bonus ;)

The card, itself, is simple enough. I simply stamped the image and water colored sky and ground around it. I also water colored Freddy -- with a smaller brush than the "wash" style surrounding the image. After the main coloring was done, I added some splatters and inked the edges. I like the focus being on the stamped image. It's like a card sized coloring book page that I can give away....maybe it will make it onto someone's fridge!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Happy Tuesday, Sweet Friends! Today I am sharing a layout I created with my Grandpa on my mind. Despite the fact that he's been gone for well over twenty years, I still think about my Gramps often. It seems like yesterday and forever since I've seen him--funny how life is sometimes?

I was thinking about sharing here on what would have been his 100++ birthday and began reflecting on how his passing was really a game changer for me in my walk with Christ. In this storm, I began to realize that I would find Him, that I could be held, that His promises are all that they say they are....

Acts 27 finds Paul on a boat, in storm, with a bunch of people and more than a boat load of faith in the One who is Mighty to Save.

v.20 "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned".......keep reading......

v.25 "So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told". READ ON:

v.36 "Then they were all encouraged"....go, more reading......

v. 44 ..."all were brought safely to land"......

Have you been brought safely? The storm is a hard place to be. No doubt about it. But, my friends, the storm IS where you will find Him. Keep looking, seeking, searching. And, allow yourself to just be held.

Monday, July 11, 2016

I love the look of contrasting black and white with
colors. These awesome florals work perfectly for this easy technique. Be sure to check them out in the I Brake For Stamps store. You can say some money while you are there by using my coupon code SAVE10JANE :)

I
started by stamping random images in black on white card stock.
Next, I on a second piece of paper, I stamped three images that matched
the background piece in style, but contrasted in size. I trimmed and
water colored those images and then adhered them to the background with
two way glue.

My sentiment can also be found in the floral sets, so...it's all you need (but there SO much more!) to make your own!

I use both of these sets quite frequently--they are so versatile! I know you'll think so too!

Friday, July 8, 2016

Every once in a while, I'm reminded how fun digital images can be. Normally, I like old school stamping with ink and a stamp block in my hand. Printers can be unpredictable and paper choices limited...BUT,

Digital images are great because you can resize them and manipulate them to exactly the right size and look for your project. Oh, and did I mention, you can have them RIGHT AWAY??? Like life, pros and cons!

Today, I'm using the Doodle Flowers digital image from Sweet N Sassy stamps. Be sure to check out the new additions to the digital stamps. Rebecca Rios just designed several that are absolute must haves!

After my printer ink dried completely, I water colored the image and just added a few rhinestones for accents. The sentiment is from Be Encouraged, also from Sweet N Sassy stamps. Check 'em out!

Thursday, July 7, 2016

I'm addicted to dies. Can't help it. Even though I love to fussy cut....I find it very therapeutic. There's just something about the crisp and easy cut that a die can accomplish.

Stampin' Up has this great set called Number of Years that also has matching number dies....the new SU! catalog also has a must have set of letter dies that coordinate. You can see the catalog here if you aren't lucky enough to have one of your own! Lots of good stuff in there!

I made this fun little shaker card for my niece. I sure hope she liked it. I'm sure it was the highlight of her special day ;) (SO far from the truth!)

I used my ancient astro label punch to create the happy birthday:

I love this thing! Long ago replaced by the fancy dymo label machines, this bad boy adds a great home made/vintage/arty feel to any project!